Dual shuffle feed

ABSTRACT

This shuffle feed mechanism is a two-part shuffle feed mechanism wherein the portion of the shuffle feed bed adjacent to the feed end is disposed at a steeper working angle to the horizontal than the last portion of the shuffle feed at the discharge end. This allows a desirable angle for the processing of an article on the shuffle feed mechanism adjacent the discharge end, for example, sorting or splitting in half, and also provides a desirable angle of operation on the product to obtain a single line or row of the products in the valleys of the shuffle feed mechanism.

Elnited States Patent Green Mar. 28, 1972 [54] DUAL SHUFFLE FEED V 2,738,816 3/1956 Lightfoot ..146/55 Inventor: Cheser Green, San Jose Calif 3,291,173 12/1966 Smith et al. ..198/219 X [73] Assignees: Genevieve 1. Hanscom, Saratoga, Calif.; P im y a m -Har ey C.H0rn sby Genevieve L Hanscom, Robert Magnum", Assistant Examiner-Merle F.Maffe1 Lois J. Thomson, as Trustees of the Estate mummy-Allen and Chmmy giclgoy M. Magnuson, part interest to ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Oct 30,1969 This shuffle feed mechanism is a two-part shuffle feed Appl. No.: 872,698

vs. C: ..198/218, 198/30 1111. (:1 ..B65g 25/04 Field ofSearch ..198/30, 29, 218, 219; 146/55,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1951 Magnuson 146/83 mechanism wherein the portion of the shuffle feed bed adjacent to the feed end is disposed at a steeper working angle to the horizontal than the last portion of the shuffle feed at the discharge end. This allows a desirable angle for the processing of an article on the shuffle feed mechanism adjacent the discharge end, for example, sorting or splitting in half, and also provides a desirable angle of operation on the product to obtain a single line or row of the products in the valleys of the shuffle feed mechanism.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEIJMAR28 1972 N w E INVENTOR. CHESTER GREEN ATTORNEYS DUAL SHUFFLE FEED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In shuffle feed mechanisms where it is desirable to provide a single row of product in a single valley of the shuffle feed mechanism for processing of some sort, for example, in trimming, splitting in half, or sorting by size, and it has been customary to employ two distinct shuffle feed mechanisms or machines in which the function of the first shuffle feed machine is to place the articles into a single row, and the second shuffle feed machine is designed to receive articles already placed in a single row and to perform a processing operation. In accordance with the instant invention the functions of both of these formerly used shuffle feed mechanisms is provided in a single machine, and the bed of shuffle members is divided into two portions, which are disposed at different angles to the horizontal, while having the same mounting and operating means.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a shuffle feed mechanism having different operating characteristics at various places along its length to perform different functions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shuffle feed mechanism of the above character in which the function of aligning articles in a single row without overlapping of any articles and without double feeding along the row is performed by the first portion of the shuffle feed which is operated at the same time as the second portion through the same stroke by the same means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying description of the invention, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the operation of the shuffle feed mechanism; and

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views illustratin g the operation of the feed end of the mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 1, the shuffle feed structure includes an overhead frame which is supported on frame posts 1 1.

The shuffle feeding mechanism comprises two similar movable sets of alternating shuffle members and 16 (FIG. 1) which are mounted in inclined position and have a long upwardly facing article supporting portion and a short upwardly facing article advancing and supporting portion forming a shuffle feed bed which is composed of two parts or portions, a feed portion and a processing portion. The set of shuffle feed members 15 of the processing portion extends between and is secured to opposite frame members 17, and the corresponding set of shuffle members 16 of the processing portion is secured on upwardly projecting angles or members 18 from opposite frame members 19. In the same manner, the feed portion of the shuffle feed bed is made up of a plurality of successive shuffle feed members 1511 also mounted between respective frame members 17, and corresponding shuffle feed members 16a also extending between and mounted on the frame members 19. The frame members 17 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are supported by four upwardly extending pivoted links 21, one pair on each side, which are each secured to a plate 22 on a frame 10, and the frame members 19 and their corresponding shuffle members l6 and 16a are supported by respective pairs of parallel links 23 which are similarly connected in a pivoted fashion to the plates 22. It will be understood that in the usual fashion the shuffle members 15, 15a and 16, 16a of the respective sets of shuffle members are disposed alternately in the series of shuffle members shown, and as one set of shuffle members advances in feeding movement, the other shuffle member is being retracted.

The reciprocating drive for the respective shuffle feed members is obtained by drive links 26 and 27 (FIGS. 1 and 2), there being one pair on each side. The drive links 26 and 27 are pivotally connected to respective frames 17 and 19 at their lower ends and at the upper end to respective eccentric straps 31 and 32 on a shaft 33 which is suitably driven from a motor (not shown).

This type of shufile feed mechanism is disclosed in the US. Pat. to Magnuson No. 2,792,929 issued May 21, 1957. It will be understood, however, that the invention is equally applicable to a shuffle feed in which one set of shuffle feed members is stationary and the other set reciprocates with respect thereto.

The first and second portions, respectively, of the bed of shuffle feed members 15 and 15a, 16 and 16a (FIG. 1), are provided with different angular characteristics to perform the respective functions intended.

In the present case the series of shuffle feed members 15 and 16 are disposed at a given angle with respect to the horizontal which is desirable for the processing of the articles being performed, i.e., the amount of lift in moving from shuffle member to shuffle member is a desirable low value. This processing may either be a sorting operation, a slicing operation, an end trimming operation, or any other desired processing operation. Generally the aspect of the shuffle feed members 15 and 16 is not steep and the difference of height between two adjacent members is small so as to perform the processing function without materially disturbing the articles being processed as they are fed. In contrast to this the series of shuffle feed members 15a and 160 are provided with the desirable angular characteristics for a singulating operation of the articles being fed to form a single row without overlap or without a double feed. For this purpose the successive shuffle feed members and 16a, starting with the shuffle feed member 15a to the left of the left hand post 11 are disposed successively lower from the line L-l of the shuffle feed members l5 and 16 as shown by the line L-2.

This lowering results in a closer spacing between the shuffle feed members 15a and 16a as compared with the spacings between the shuffle feed members 15 and 16, so that the shuffle feed members 1511 and 16a are correspondingly made thinner to allow this closer spacing and to allow the proper clearance between adjacent shuffle feed members.

The steeper angle of attack of the shuffle members 15a and 16a in lifting articles encourages the displacement of any extra article backwards off of a shuffle feed member as it is reciprocating during the feeding movement and accomplishes an effective feeding action to provide a single row of articles in each trough or valley formed by adjacent shuffle feed members as the row of articles approaches the processing portion of the feed bed.

It will be apparent that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown.

I claim:

1. In a shuffle feed mechanism having two sets of shuffle feed members arranged alternately, means for driving said shuffle feed members with adjacent shuffle feed members moving in opposite directions to progress articles from valley to valley along the single continuous shuffle feed bed formed by the members, the single shuffle feed bed being composed of a plurality of series of said shuffle members including a first series adjacent the discharge end of the shuffle feed mechanism for performing a processing function with respect to articles being progressed thereover, and a second series disposed more adjacent the feed end of the mechanism than said first series and comprising shuffle feed members having a steeper angular relation as a series to the horizontal than said first series so as to promote the falling back of an article from an attempted double feed of articles to provide eventually a single row of articles in each valley without overlap or without a double feed in said first series of shuffle feed members.

2. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which the angle of said second series of shufile feed members to the horizontal as a series is steeper than the corresponding angle of said first series as a series and in which the mounting means and operating means for said respective series are common.

3. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which the shuffle members in said second series are of a thinner dimension than said first series and have a greater difference in elevation or height between adjacent members. 

1. In a shuffle feed mechanism haVing two sets of shuffle feed members arranged alternately, means for driving said shuffle feed members with adjacent shuffle feed members moving in opposite directions to progress articles from valley to valley along the single continuous shuffle feed bed formed by the members, the single shuffle feed bed being composed of a plurality of series of said shuffle members including a first series adjacent the discharge end of the shuffle feed mechanism for performing a processing function with respect to articles being progressed thereover, and a second series disposed more adjacent the feed end of the mechanism than said first series and comprising shuffle feed members having a steeper angular relation as a series to the horizontal than said first series so as to promote the falling back of an article from an attempted double feed of articles to provide eventually a single row of articles in each valley without overlap or without a double feed in said first series of shuffle feed members.
 2. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which the angle of said second series of shuffle feed members to the horizontal as a series is steeper than the corresponding angle of said first series as a series and in which the mounting means and operating means for said respective series are common.
 3. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which the shuffle members in said second series are of a thinner dimension than said first series and have a greater difference in elevation or height between adjacent members. 